Chapter 69: This Is Just Too Much (23)

Although Herbert had gained the ability to open and teleport within the Third Oath Hall, this ability was incomplete—his authorization level was still too low.

He possessed access rights only to the first five levels.

Moreover, Herbert had to enter one of the levels first before he could teleport; otherwise, he could only stand outside the door and stare helplessly.

“This is annoying—I have to activate a coordinate before I can teleport. Is this some kind of game dungeon? Why do I have to light a bonfire?”

Herbert sighed helplessly, muttering inwardly:

“Where’s my Fire Keeper? Where’s my little wooden doll? Where’s my witch… oh, not that shape-shifting witch.”

Not the Witch path.

Additionally, from this test result, Herbert reached another surprising conclusion.

The nine and a half sub-realms of the Third Oath Hall were not stacked vertically as he had previously assumed.

Instead, the Infinite Labyrinth served as the central realm, surrounded by eight smaller realms arranged in a circular pattern.

“So, once my authorization is high enough, I can enter the Ninth Zone directly…”

Herbert walked on through the darkness, his gaze sweeping over the previously impenetrable shadows.

He noticed that after gaining night vision, the scenery here had changed dramatically.

It was not empty at all.

The floor bore intricate patterns, the walls were painted with massive murals, and the ceiling featured ornate arched domes adorned with vivid colors.

In other words, if this place were illuminated, it would resemble a royal ballroom far more than a prison cell.

Herbert was very familiar with such ballroom designs—he had been a frequent guest in the Frost Crystal Royal ballrooms, often dancing with ladies and ladies of various noble families.

“But why is this space designed like this?” Herbert grew confused again, unsure why the monastery had turned a prison into such a place.

To pamper prisoners?

To reform them through humane treatment?

Herbert pondered for a moment, then walked over to the black iron coffin.

“Hmm?”

He circled around, observing, and realized the coffin was positioned precisely at the center of the Dark Prison.

Moreover, the black iron coffin was perfectly embedded into the central depression—not moved here from elsewhere.

“Hmm… hmm?”

Looking at the scene, a strange thought suddenly flashed through Herbert’s mind.

Could this place…

Have originally been Elisabeth’s home?

The more Herbert thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. He examined the surrounding patterns, comparing them with memories.

Yes.

They bore strong similarities to the palace patterns he had seen in the memory of Prince Fatt.

So, she was… working from home!?

Oh, right—community rehabilitation.

But that doesn’t make sense.

Who in their right mind moves a prisoner—along with her entire house—into a prison?

At this thought, Herbert sucked in a sharp breath and muttered: “Holy crap… that’s way too harsh.”

This is just too much.

Even I, one of her own people, can’t stand it.

He shook his head and sighed: “This is really too much…”

Click.

A soft sound came from inside the coffin—a pair of eyes appeared in the crack, gazing sadly at Herbert.

“Too much? Who’s too much?”

Elisabeth gritted her teeth, glaring at the white-haired boy outside the coffin, furious: “Who could be more unreasonable than you?”

A holy servant refusing to honor a promise… bullying someone.

This is just too much!

Thinking of it, Elisabeth’s heart bled endlessly.

Drip.

Drip.

Before Herbert could answer, he heard the sound and tilted his head curiously: “Huh? Where’s the water coming from?”

Whose pipe is leaking?

“Hmph! Mind your own business!”

Elisabeth merely snorted irritably, pouting: “It’s all your fault, you damn knight for breaking your promise!”

She pressed her chest, forcing the blood oozing out back inside.

Yes.

She was literally bleeding from her heart!

Because Elisabeth was still too weak, the wound Herbert had stabbed into her chest with his sword had not fully healed.

Whenever she became angry, her blood surged upward, squeezing out a few more drops of essence blood from her heart.

Other girls’ hearts might just leak air.

But hers leaks blood…

Seeing her so furious, Herbert smiled and shook his head: “Hey, don’t put it like that—I didn’t break my promise. I’m here to fulfill it, aren’t I?”

“I never said I wouldn’t give it to you—I just delayed it a little.”

Yes.

Just a slight~ slight~ cash flow issue—colleagues, please temporarily endure this hardship with the company…

“Really!?”

Elisabeth’s eyes lit up instantly at his words, but she still doubted him, narrowing her gaze: “Don’t you dare renege this time.”

“Truly, truly—I’d never lie to you.”

Herbert’s expression turned solemn, speaking earnestly: “I’m a knight. I never lie.”

Herbert’s life is upright—he never changes his name, never hides his identity, never speaks a single falsehood.

I don’t even deceive female wyverns—how could I lie to a tiny bat spirit like you?

Elisabeth narrowed her eyes, fell silent for a long moment, then reluctantly nodded: “Fine… I’ll believe you this once.”

Though she still doubted him, the item remained in his hands—she had no choice but to accept it.

What if he refused again when pressed?

She had conceded, but Herbert now fell silent, staring at her with an odd expression.

?

What’s he thinking?

“What? Are you going back on your word again?”

“No, I’m just…” Herbert shook his head, his lips twitched, then he sighed deeply: “It just doesn’t look like her at all!”

The Elisabeth in his essence-blood memory had been so fierce, cool, and dazzling—this pitiful little female brat now before him delivered a crushing contrast.

Time truly is a butcher’s knife.

“Sigh…”

Elisabeth: ???

Watching someone else sigh… what’s his meaning?

Are you deliberately provoking me?

She was about to demand an explanation, but Herbert had already pierced his fingertip and extended it toward the coffin’s crack, casually saying: “Here—ten drops. Take them yourself.”

!!!

Elisabeth made no complaint—her eyes fixed solely on that pale, jade-like finger.

Blood!

Real blood!

But just before she opened her mouth, she asked again, suspiciously: “Really?”

“Of course! If you waste more time, I won’t give it to you.”

Herbert rolled his eyes and pretended to pull his finger back.

Elisabeth panicked instantly and lunged to bite—but the narrow crack wouldn’t let her open her mouth.

In desperation, the ravenous Elisabeth extended her tongue, trying to catch the falling drops of blood.

My blood!

At the same moment.

Herbert stared at the pink little tongue and thought of only one thing—what if I closed the coffin lid right now…

Would she cry for a long time?

(End of Chapter)